After a five-year battle, the defense establishment has informed the Supreme Court that it concedes the battle regarding a portion of security fence north of Qalqilye. As a result, the disputed section will be rerouted at a cost of over NIS 50 million.

It entails removing a 2.4 kilometer (1.4 miles) section of fence and replacing it with a 4.9 kilometer (2.9 miles) section of fence that is significantly closer to the Green Line. The move will return 2,600 (650 acres) dunam of land of a total of 3,000 (750 acres) dunam that were expropriated by the government for the construction of the fence to the villagers in the area.

He portions of the fence that are disputed were constructed in 2003, at which time human rights organization petitioned the Supreme Court against the land expropriations on behalf of the PA (Palestinian Authority) residents.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)